Collapsible fruit crate

Abstract

A crate for agricultural products can include a base, a side wall, and a hinge mechanism pivotably connecting the side wall with the base such that the side wall is movable between a folded configuration and an erected configuration relative to the base. The hinge mechanism can include a hinge extending from the side wall. The hinge can include a rod. The hinge can further include a hinge receiver defined by the base. The hinge receiver may define a receiving area with an opening. The opening may be at a top end of the hinge receiver. The opening may define a minimum width of the receiving area. The rod of the hinge can be positionable into the receiving area via the opening.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crate for agricultural products, the crate comprising:
 a base;   a side wall; and   a hinge mechanism pivotably connecting the side wall with the base such that the side wall is movable between a folded configuration and an erected configuration relative to the base, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:
 a hinge extending from the side wall, the hinge comprising a rod; and 
 a hinge receiver defined by the base, the hinge receiver defining a receiving area with an opening, wherein the opening is at a top end of the hinge receiver, 
 wherein the opening defines a minimum width of the receiving area, and 
 wherein the rod of the hinge is positionable into the receiving area via the opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the width is defined in a direction transverse to a pivot axis of the hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein in the erected configuration, the rod is arranged adjacent and/or in contact with a bottom end of the hinge receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge receiver further comprises a ledge on a surface of the receiving area opposite from the top end of the hinge receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The crate according to  claim 4 , wherein the hinge is configured to engage the ledge in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The crate according to  claim 5 , wherein the hinge further comprises a protrusion extending from the rod and arranged to engage the ledge in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises opposing end portions and a flex portion extending continuously between the end portions along a length of the side wall, wherein a thickness of the flex portion is less than a thickness of each end portion. 
     
     
         8 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion extending continuously between the first and second end portions along a length of the side wall, the center portion comprising friction features configured to frictionally engage friction features of another crate during lifting. 
     
     
         9 . The crate according to  claim 8 , wherein the friction features comprise a plurality of ribs, each rib of the plurality of ribs extending from proximate the first end portion to proximate the second end portion. 
     
     
         10 . The crate according to  claim 8 , wherein the side wall is a first side wall and the crate further comprises a second side wall having a mounting surface that is smooth to facilitate installation of a label. 
     
     
         11 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is a first side wall and the crate further comprises a second side wall having a plurality of label fingers for holding a label on the crate. 
     
     
         12 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises a first sampling window defined proximate a top end of the side wall and a second sampling window defined proximate to a bottom end of the side wall, wherein the first sampling window is vertically and horizontally offset from the second sampling window, and wherein the first sampling window and the second sampling window are each configured to accommodate removal of an agricultural product therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The crate according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is a first side wall and the crate further comprises a second side wall, wherein the second side wall further comprises a latch arranged to secure the first side wall with the second side wall together in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The crate according to  claim 13 , wherein the latch is integral with the second side wall and movable or flexible to flex inwards or outwards relative to the second side wall. 
     
     
         15 . The crate according to  claim 14 , wherein the first side wall comprises a stopper arranged to engage the latch and obstruct inadvertent flexing inward of the latch and block inadvertent actuation of the latch. 
     
     
         16 . A crate for agricultural products, the crate comprising:
 a base;   a side wall; and   a hinge mechanism pivotably connecting the side wall with the base such that the side wall is movable between a folded configuration and an erected configuration relative to the base,   wherein the side wall comprises opposing end portions and a flex portion extending continuously between the end portions along a length of the side wall, wherein a thickness of the flex portion is less a thickness of each end portion.   
     
     
         17 . The crate according to  claim 16 , wherein the side wall comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion extending continuously between the first and second end portions along a length of the side wall, the center portion comprising friction features configured to frictionally engage friction features of another crate during lifting. 
     
     
         18 . A crate for agricultural products, the crate comprising:
 a base;   a side wall; and   a hinge mechanism pivotably connecting the side wall with the base such that the side wall is movable between a folded configuration and an erected configuration relative to the base,   wherein the side wall comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion extending continuously between the first and second end portions along a length of the side wall, the center portion comprising friction features configured to frictionally engage friction features of another crate during lifting.   
     
     
         19 . The crate according to  claim 18 , wherein the friction features comprise a plurality of ribs, each rib of the plurality of ribs extending from proximate the first end portion to proximate the second end portion. 
     
     
         20 . The crate according to  claim 18 , wherein the side wall is a first side wall and the crate further comprises a second side wall having a mounting surface that is smooth to facilitate installation of a label.